The Sony Vision-S 02 crossover SUV is a continuation of the Vision-S sedan concept that Sony presented at CES two years ago. While Sony has not confirmed that either of the vehicles is intended for production, the company hints at it.
Sony has been testing a prototype of the Vision-S sedan, and during its presentation at CES on Wednesday, the company announced that it will establish a new division called Sony Mobility this spring, focusing specifically on the development of electric vehicles.
The Vision-S 02 is a midsize crossover with seven seats distributed across three rows, not unlike the Tesla Model X. As it is Sony, occupants get a sophisticated surround sound audio system and the ability to play video games through remote connection to a PlayStation console at home.
Front-seat occupants get a large panoramic screen, and there are also smaller individual screens in the rear rows. Like the Vision-S, the crossover concept has cloud connectivity and 5G compatibility, as well as wireless update capability. Remote operation may even be possible in the future, according to Sony.
The company did not discuss mechanical details, but the Vision-S sedan used a platform, or at least parts of one, from automotive supplier Magna-Steyr, which is providing a platform and contract manufacturing for the Fisker Ocean. The Vision-S sedan had a 268 horsepower motor on each axle, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds, according to Sony.
Sony is not the only electronics company looking into the electric vehicle sector. Foxconn, which also assembles Sony’s PlayStation, is entering the electric vehicle business, although there has been no established connection between the two companies in electric vehicle development.
Foxconn revealed three “self-developed” electric vehicles in October 2021 under its new brand Foxtron. The company has its own agreement with Fisker to jointly develop a $30,000 electric vehicle and has a partnership with Lordstown Motors, where it seeks to purchase the former General Motors factory of that company, essentially becoming a contract manufacturer for Lordstown.
